Tafsir Qur'an Per Kata

Thursday, October 20, 2011

One of the miracles of Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام was that the rock he stood on while building the Kaabah turned soft and his feet sank in it, one can see the impressions of his feet on that rock. In order to complete the upper part of the walls of the Kaabah, Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام stood upon a large stone block which he moved along when each section was completed. When the Kaabah was finished, the large stone block was left outside the Kaabah, close to the eastern wall of the sanctuary. It became known as the ‘Maqam Ibrahim’ (the station of Ibrahim). His son, Prophet Ismail عليه السلامhelped him erect it, by passing him the rocks.

Today, the Maqam Ibrahim, with the stone within, is located in front of the door of the Kaabah. The boulder is about 2 x 3 feet. Where it stands today is the place where Ibrahim offered up his prayers. Later, and during his reign, `Umar bin Al-Khattab رضي الله عنه moved the Maqam farther to the east, so that those who go around the House in Tawaf are able to perform it easily, without disturbing those who pray next to the Maqam after finishing their Tawaf.

After completing the seventh round of circumambulation, the state of tawaf ends. Seventh? Yes! It is not simply the sum of six plus one, but it is a reminder of seven layers of heaven. At Maqam Ibrahim, voluntarily read two units of prayers. In the history of mankind, Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلامwas the great rebel who opposed idolatry and established monotheism (tawhid) in this world. Although physically tired of sufferings, the prophet of responsibility and leadership had a sharp mind. His heart was full of love yet he carried an axe in his hand. Faith shined from the centre ‘kufur’. A clear fountain of tawhid emerged from the sewage of polytheism.

The following are verses from the Noble Qur'an pertaining to Maqam Ibrahim :

And (remember) when We made the House (the Kaabah at Makkah) a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety. And take you (people) the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim (or the stone on which Ibrahim عليهالسلام stood while he was building the Kaabah) as a place of prayer (for some of ypur prayers, e,g. two rakaat after the tawaf of the Kaabah at Makkah), and We commanded Ibrahim and Ismail that they should purify My House (the Kaabah at Makkah) for those who are ciccumambulating it, or staying (Itikah), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayers). (Al-Baqarah 2:125)

In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim, whoever enters it, he attain security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the house (Kaabah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieve (i.e. denies Hajj) (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah, then Allah stands not in need of any the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists). (Ăl ‘Imrân 3:97)